Higher education idea: Bill international students more

Leaders in the Washington Senate are proposing a new tax on international students to help pay for higher education.

University officials told The Seattle Times the new fee is so high it could drive students away and hurt their budgets as well their diversity.

Senate leaders say the proposed 20 percent surcharge on international students could raise as much as $50 million over two years.

Currently, at Washington four-year schools, out-of-state and international students pay the same tuition. That's about three times what an in-state student pays and they already help subsidize in-state students.

Senate Majority leader Rodney Tom thinks a kid from Idaho, whose parents pay taxes in this country, should pay less than a student from China.